Every new parent knows that the cost of having a baby can be steep, and simple but must-have supplies like a breast pump can contribute to that gasp-worthy bottom line. Once the Affordable Care Act went into effect in 2012, health insurance companies were required provide at least one breast pump for free or with a co-pay. The effect has been truly positive for new moms. In fact, a January 2018 study published online in the American Journal of Health concluded that “reducing barriers to receiving support services and breastfeeding equipment shows promise as part of a broader effort to encourage breastfeeding, particularly the duration of breastfeeding and the amount of time before formula supplementation.”

Now, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield — which covers over 40 million people across 15 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin — has said that, as of April 1, they will be cutting the amount they reimburse for electric pumps nearly in half.

Anthem used to pay medical equipment providers $169.15, and now, they’ll only reimburse $95. This doesn’t go hand-in-hand with the retail price you would pay for a pump off the shelf — or the final price that a new mom covered under Anthem will pay once this goes into effect. But a good pump can run about $150-$200, so reducing the reimbursement could leave a new parent holding the bill for approximately $100 — or taking home a lower-quality model that simply doesn’t cut it.

Moms in Alabama recently faced the same issue, according to advocacy group and nonprofit organization, Alabama Breastfeeding Committee (ABC). A recent blog post on the site states, “The same issue was faced in Alabama in late 2016, involving Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama. The reimbursement fee of $95 was found to be unacceptable by most [lactation consultants]. Since only the most very basic pumps could be purchased for this amount, professionals feared that first time breastfeeding mothers would soon become frustrated with the inadequacy of the pump provided and cease to breastfeed for this reason.”

The good news is that when Alabama parents faced this dilemma with BS/BC, they fought back. ABC wrote a letter, suggesting that the insurance company come up to $150. Insured families got involved on social media. Ultimately, Blue Cross Blue Shield “retracted their previous recommendation and announced that the new reimbursement would be $150,” according to ABC.

Now, with this change set to take effect for breastfeeding moms, many of whom are low-income, across 15 states in just a matter of days, advocacy groups like Moms Rising are encouraging people to reach out to Anthem to express their concerns.

Likewise, ABC recommends emailing Anthem’s Chief Medical Officer, Craig Samitt, as well as posting on social media feeds and on well-read mom/baby sites to raise awareness around the issue.

Summarizing their current position on the policy, a spokesperson for Anthem told What to Expect in an email, “Anthem recognizes the positive health benefits that breastfeeding can have on mothers and their newborns. Anthem is committed to ensuring new mothers have the information, tools and support they need to successfully breastfeed their newborns. We know that access to a breast pump is vital to a mother’s successful breastfeeding experience and there are a variety of choices for quality breast pumps.

Anthem’s goal is to ensure access to healthcare that is simpler, more affordable, and more accessible for consumers. One way we are achieving this goal for new mothers is by working with our contracted suppliers to make sure they have access to high-quality standard double electric breast pumps that are also affordable. Through our existing supplier relationships, we are able to provide mothers with access to a variety of quality pumps at no cost to them including: Ameda Finesse, Evenflo Advanced, Lansinoh Signature Pro, Spectra S2 Plus and Medela Pump in Style.

The upcoming adjustment to the fee schedule for all durable medical equipment, including breast pumps, will not impact the ability of any new mother to access a high-quality, standard double electric breast pump from our nationally contracted medical suppliers. Additionally, when medically necessary, and when the consumer meets certain criteria, coverage for a hospital grade breast pump may also be provided. Anthem will continue to actively work to achieve increased breastfeeding rates and support new mothers who choose to breastfeed.”

With hope, both Anthem and new moms covered under the insurance company are able to reach a conclusion that doesn’t leave new moms facing an even greater battle to affordably, effectively breastfeed their L.O.